TBT When Aishwarya Rai Got Involved in Dating Scandal Because of Manisha Koirala

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MARCH 17,2025

The 1990s were an era of glitz, glamour, and intense rivalries in Bollywood. Among the most popular controversies of the decade was the alleged love triangle involving Manisha Koirala, model Rajeev Mulchandani, and Aishwarya Rai. This scandal sparked a media frenzy, with tabloids and gossip columns feasting on the drama.

The Love Triangle Controversy

At the time, Manisha Koirala was reportedly dating Rajeev Mulchandani. Rumours swirled that Rajeev also had a fling with Aishwarya Rai. The controversy erupted when Manisha allegedly discovered love letters between Rajeev and Aishwarya. The speculation quickly spiralled into a public spat, drawing widespread attention.

Years later, Aishwarya Rai broke her silence on the matter. She revealed that her initial intention was to praise Manisha for her outstanding performance in the 1995 blockbuster film Bombay. However, things took an unexpected turn when she learnt that Manisha had dragged her into the controversy.

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In an old interview, Aishwarya stated, 'I had just watched Bombay and thought Manisha was brilliant. I was even planning to send her a bouquet to congratulate her. On April 1st, Rajeev happened to call me, and I excitedly told him how much I admired Manisha's performance. That's when he laughed and asked if I had been reading the papers. He informed me that Manisha had claimed to have found love letters from him to me. I couldn't believe it! It was a very rude shock.'

Aishwarya also shared that the scandal deeply affected her, causing immense emotional pain and tears. She felt blindsided by the claims and struggled to understand why Manisha would make such allegations, especially months after her alleged split with Rajeev.

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The Aftermath

Despite the media storm, none of the parties involved ever publicly confirmed the details of the alleged love triangle. Over the years, both actresses moved on and built successful careers. Manisha Koirala recently gained widespread acclaim for her performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's web series Heeramandi. She also appeared in the 2023 film Shehzada, a remake of the Telugu film Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo.

Meanwhile, Aishwarya Rai is rumoured to be in discussions with director Mani Ratnam for a new project alongside her husband, Abhishek Bachchan. Fans eagerly await their on-screen reunion after Guru and Raavan. Aishwarya was last seen in Ponniyin Selvan: II, also directed by Mani Ratnam.

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